Your delivery day

No two women experience labor and delivery in quite the same way, but the more you know about what to expect, the more you can focus on what really matters — the joy of meeting your new baby for the very first time. We want to help you prepare for your delivery day, eliminate any surprises, and help you have a safe and positive experience.

Call our delivery advice nurse at (408) 851-7315 (available 24 hours a day) before coming to the hospital in labor, or any time you think you need to be evaluated in the hospital.

Your health and the safety of your baby are always our top priorities. Creating a birth plan is a great way to let your care team know your wishes. It’s not a contract, and you can change your plan at any time. If you haven’t made your birth plan yet, make it now and share it with us at your next appointment.

When you’re in labor, you can have up to 3 guests with you in the room, including your partner or labor support person. Children under 12 are limited to your new baby’s siblings and must be accompanied by an adult whose only task is their care.

When you have your baby at Kaiser Permanente, you may be surprised at how many people are there to support you — before, during, and after your delivery. We’ll all work together to help give you the happiest, healthiest birth day possible.

Our labor, delivery, and recovery rooms are where you and your newborn will spend your first hours together. When your baby is born, your delivery team will come in to make sure he or she is thriving outside the womb. As long as you and your baby are doing well, you’ll stay together for the rest of your time in the hospital.

Little ones who need special care are observed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A neonatologist — a pediatrician trained especially in newborn care — will come to your room and determine if your baby needs care in our NICU. If this happens, we’ll talk to you about why your baby needs extra care, and make sure you know where your baby will be and what to expect.